Art in Penallt - The Nature of Things

For the second year the village of Penallt, looking down into the Wye Valley below Monmouth, is hosting a major art event in the Autumn from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th October. It is not only to celebrate the work of leading local artists but also to create an event with a difference. This is not just about local artists showcasing their latest work; it is also about enthusing and exciting people of all ages in the creative process. This year the theme is ‘Nature’. The proceeds will go to charities and also to sustain this type of event in future years.

Penallt is no stranger to the arts and people from George Bernard Shaw to Robert Plant have lived and worked here.

The festival will be opened on the Friday evening with a dinner at the Inn at Penallt which will include a talk by the brilliant speaker, Simon Trapnell who helped establish ‘Nature in Art', the world's first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature. Some tickets are still available for this.

On the Saturday and Sunday (10am – 4.30pm) there will be a Fine art exhibition, curated by Richard Wills at the beautifully converted Capel Pentwyn in the centre of Penallt. once again the church building be transformed into an art gallery. There will be a stunning exhibition of work for sale by over 40 well-established local and national artists and makers. Further information about exhibitors is already available on website link. Entry is free.

On the Saturday evening at 5pm 6th Oct there will be the opportunity to meet and talk with the exhibiting artists over a glass of wine (or fruit juice) in the beautiful Capel Pentwyn. Entry is also free.

This will be followed by the hilarious Film: The Rebel (1961) just up the road at Pelham Hall in Penallt. This is a satirical comedy about an aspiring artist. It stars the Tony Hancock and was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

On the Sunday from 10am – 3.30pm there will be another Art Boot sale in Babington Meadow. Last year saw the first ever art boot sale in this part of the world. It was a really successful event and is sure to be again.

Babington Meadow, alongside Capel Pentwyn, is a stunning setting for an ‘Art in the Park’ event. Exhibitors and artists alike will be raiding the attic to find those (possibly) priceless paintings and objêts d’art to put on display in a real car-boot style setting. Pitches for stalls must be booked in advance as space is limited to 30 pitches. Two large marquees will also be available on the site for those worried about the weather. Entry is
free.

Also on the Sunday in Babington Meadow there will be Artists in Residence: Sue Brown , Printmaker, will be demonstrating how to make Collographs and Mary Cousins, an outstanding potter, with Steve Hoselitz, will demonstrate how to throw clay in interesting ways. David Cheshire, will also be there as the event’s Official Photographer.